Abbey Lounge to close doors at end of November

The Abbey Lounge, Union Square's venerable garage/indie/punk dive, has lost its battle with this shitty economy. According to club employees, the Abbey's last day will be November 28. In addition, Abbey booking agent Mike Fuedale (a/k/a the Coffin Lids' Skinny Mike) confirmed this afternoon that the Abbey's final show will be November 26 -- bands are still TBA.

"We're saddled with debt from renovations
that were made a few years ago," says Abbey booking agent, Mike
Fuedale. Feudale — better known as "Skinny Mike "of the Coffin Lids —
says the renovations included removing a wall between the bar and the
performance area and building a separate wine bar next door . . .

But
debt isn't the only issue affecting the venerable venue. While clubs
everywhere are hurting as a result of a disastrous economy, the Abbey's
usual regulars are also growing older. "Priorities change," says Skinny
Mike. "I don't see a lot of the familiar faces."